Bulwark Takes

Andrew Egger and Will Sommer discuss Trump DOJ’s sweeping Election Day deployment of federal monitors, the questions surrounding where they’re being sent, and the growing concerns over federal interference in the midterms.

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It’s Election Day, and Donald Trump is making some surprising last-minute moves, including an announcement that he’s cutting off military aid to Israel. Andrew Egger and Bill Kristol break down Trump’s increasingly desperate closing message, the possibility of renewed strikes on Iran, and the decisions that have put Republicans in such a precarious position, from the Minneapolis ICE crackdown to the war in Iran and a seemingly endless parade of corruption scandals.

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Sam Stein and Andrew Egger give their takes on Trump’s bizarre closing pitch ahead of the midterms: a trip to the Reflecting Pool to brag about algae removal, vandalism that never happened, and his plans to renovate a DC golf course. Instead of making a final appeal to voters, Trump spent his time talking about monuments, promenades, statues and a proposed triumphal arch. Sam and Andrew discuss how Trump’s obsession with beautifying Washington DC has become a fitting symbol of a presidency increasingly consumed by personal passion projects as his broader agenda stalls.

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Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) break down Tucker Carlson’s alarming claims that the Trump administration could be preparing a nuclear strike on Iran. They dissect Carlson’s claims about Netanyahu, Pickaxe Mountain and the possibility of nuclear escalation, explaining what’s wrong with his analysis and what a nuclear strike would actually mean. They also examine Trump’s fixation on the Iran War casualty counts, the limits of military force and why there is no easy solution to the war with Iran.

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With Election Day looming, Republicans are showing signs of panic, and some familiar election deniers are resurfacing at the White House. Sam Stein and Will Sommer discuss Roger Stone’s desperate effort to rescue a MAGA candidate, Trump’s fury over Alina Habba’s $50 million pardon controversy, and a MAGA influencer’s spectacularly failed investigation in Alaska. Plus, Tucker Carlson’s alarming nuclear claims, Laura Loomer’s latest feud, and MAGA’s strange obsession with Darth Vader.

In a stunning last-minute reversal, Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens has endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s closely contested Senate race, just days after saying she’d support Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed. Sam Stein and Lauren Egan discuss the furious reaction from Democrats, the turmoil inside Stevens’ own office, what may have prompted her decision, and whether it could change the outcome of Tuesday’s election.

With Election Day just days away, Sarah Longwell and Bill Kristol explain why they believe Republicans could be headed for a historic defeat. Sarah shares what she’s hearing from disillusioned Trump voters in her focus groups, the two examine surprising opportunities for Democrats in deep-red states, and they react to the stunning news that a Haley Stevens has endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan.

MAGA podcaster Clay Travis bet $1 million that oil prices would fall before the midterms. With his deadline looming and prices nowhere near his prediction, Tim Miller brings the receipts on Travis’s spectacularly wrong calls about Trump’s Iran war, then revisits his increasingly ridiculous Cheesecake Factory obsession.

Tim Miller takes on the GOP’s most outrageous midterm candidates, from a MAGA operative facing election fraud allegations to a yacht-owning Republican hiding his wealth, a politically connected congressional hopeful, and Tommy Tuberville’s latest antics. Plus, Tim shares the wild story of how Steve Bannon falsely accused him of orchestrating the allegations against Roy Moore.

Sam Stein joins Nicolle Wallace on MS NOW to give his take on Trump’s bizarre distractions, from defending his decorating skills and feuding with Bill Maher to obsessing over a D.C. golf course, while his party faces mounting political problems. Sam also explains why corruption is emerging as a major issue for voters, the growing signs of waning enthusiasm at Trump rallies, and the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine the midterm elections before votes are even counted.

Plus, Trump has a public meltdown after canceling a campaign trip to Kansas and attacking a Reuters reporter for simply asking whether he was feeling well.

Watch Deadline: White House on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/deadline-white-house

Sam Stein and Will Sommer unpack a jaw-dropping Harvard Crimson investigation into Leo Terrell, Trump’s antisemitism czar, and the spectacular dysfunction inside his Justice Department task force. From threatening to choke an intern with a computer charger and pressuring a young employee to spend $1,200 to accompany him to Vegas, to dreaming up a national tour featuring Justin Bieber, Jerry Seinfeld and Nicki Minaj, Terrell’s operation sounds more like a bureaucratic fever dream than a serious government office.

Plus, the interns who fled, the bizarre feud with Harmeet Dhillon, a top Trump DOJ official, and leaking to The New York Times.

Read more from the Harvard Crimson: https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2026/10/28/terrell-doj-task-force-collapse/

What happens to Trump if Democrats take back Congress? Reporter Michael Weiss and former CIA officer Mark Polymeropoulos examine the investigations that could expose the administration’s foreign dealings, the growing threat of another war with Iran, and why even Putin’s inner circle is realizing Trump can’t deliver on his promises. Plus, Ukraine stands its ground against Trump, and Elon Musk’s Starlink controversy raises serious national security questions.

Tim Miller takes a trip into the lion’s den, joining Blake Neff and Andrew Kolvet on The Charlie Kirk Show for a spirited debate about Trump’s record. Tim pushes back on the idea that Trump has delivered, laying out that the president has broken his promises on affordability, foreign wars and draining the swamp. The conversation gets heated as Tim challenges the hosts over immigration enforcement, masked ICE agents and the detention of people without due process. He also makes the case that Trump’s tariffs, war in Iran and corruption are making life harder for Americans.

Sam Stein, Will Sommer, and Tim Miller unpack another week of MAGA absurdity, from James O’Keefe facing felony charges over an alleged voter fraud stunt to right-wing influencers churning out bizarre AI videos about Democrats and the Cheesecake Factory. The trio also break down a pastor’s bizarre prayer for the deportation of a MAGA commentator, and a Tennessee congressional candidate defending unsolicited nude photos as a “youthful indiscretion” at age 53.

Plus, JD Vance hits the campaign trail for a MAGA rapper in a surprisingly competitive House race, and the Department of Education gets caught up in the internet’s strange obsession with a gender-swapped Draco Malfoy.

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Bill Kristol talks with Ezra Levin, co-director of Indivisible and a leading organizer of No Kings, about why Trump’s attacks on the movement have failed, Meta’s suspicious four-hour shutdown of its Instagram account during a massive early-voting push, and the growing demands for answers from Congress. They also discuss how Trump’s corporate allies enable his authoritarian agenda—and why Democrats can’t afford to return to business as usual if they win in November.

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Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) break down the growing risks of Trump’s Iran war, including the possibility of renewed strikes after the midterms, the danger of pushing Gulf allies toward China, and the military’s growing logistical challenges. They examine why Iran may be preparing to fight back even harder, how the Houthis could threaten American interests long after the Iran war ends, and why Netanyahu’s reported attempt to launch a politically motivated strike raises serious questions about the military’s role in a democracy.

Plus, Ukraine’s latest strikes on Russian weapons factories, Zelensky’s diplomatic maneuvering, and what a potential blue wave could mean for congressional oversight of Trump’s foreign policy.

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Catherine Rampell and Andrew Egger break down Donald Trump’s latest campaign strategy: promising taxpayer-funded benefits to voters and threatening to withhold money from states that don’t deliver Republican victories. From $5,000 checks and billions in potential investments to veterans’ Camp Lejeune settlements, Trump is making government funding conditional on political loyalty. Catherine and Andrew examine how Trump has turned public money into a tool for rewarding allies and punishing perceived enemies, and how this once-unthinkable approach has become the new normal in American politics.

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Will Sommer speaks with Mississippi shrimper Maynard Dubuisson, a longtime Donald Trump supporter who says soaring diesel prices are pushing fishermen and small businesses to the brink. The war in Iran has sent fuel costs soaring, forcing shrimpers to conserve fuel and produce less, and threatened the local economy. Dubuisson says working-class Americans aren’t worried about tax cuts. They’re worried about affording groceries and keeping their businesses afloat. Now he’s pleading with Trump to deliver relief before it’s too late.

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With one week until Election Day, Bill Kristol and Andrew Egger break down the Senate races that could deliver Democrats a historic midterm wave. From James Talarico’s fight against Ken Paxton in Texas to surprising opportunities in Mississippi, Kansas, and Florida, they examine how Trump’s unpopularity, rising prices, and Elon Musk’s spending are reshaping the map.

Plus, how Trump’s latest attempt to prosecute James Comey exposes the importance of independent courts and why control of the Senate could be the most consequential prize of the election.

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Will Saletan uses Trump's own words to expose the contradictions behind the Iran war. Trump says he obliterated Iran's nuclear program, claims the threat is under control, and admits the U.S. could leave now. So why is the war still going eight months later? Trump says he wants a guarantee Iran will never build a nuclear weapon, but he also admits he may have gone too far in killing the country's leaders and doesn't know who to negotiate with. Meanwhile, gas prices are rising, Trump is bragging about the money high oil prices are bringing in, and he says the financial pain Americans are facing is a small price to pay. For Trump voters unhappy with the economy and the war, Will makes the case that the midterms are a chance to send a message.

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Show Notes:
Trump rally in South Carolina, Oct. 21: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNmr6SyjoAo
Trump rally in Florida, Oct. 23: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMD0ffRom7M
Trump interview with NBC Montana, Oct.14: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLcKKXgngVk
Trump rally in Arizona, Oct. 14: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf36VMa0rDE
Trump rally in Alabama, Oct. 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZCcFK6y9fA
Trump rally in Oklahoma, Oct. 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zYR9nIuvDs
Trump rally in Kansas, Oct.19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpvsst07C28
Trump gaggle at the White House, Oct. 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlYbzF9hSBE
Trump interview with Newsmax, Oct. 15: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvwQankQR-8
Trump gaggle at Joint Base Andrews, Oct. 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MWwc6p33yM
Trump rally in Georgia, Oct. 24: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2vfPUbdZsg
Trump rally in Michigan, Oct. 25: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkM_CFtIDUs
Trump Q&A in the Oval Office, Oct. 20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQKChHxD9e8